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Location
Located between the lower and upper towns, the Ardenne Residence lies on the northeastern ramparts of Sedan castle. Its elevated plateau overlooks the landscape, the Meuse, and the historic center. The only points of access are Avenue Winston Churchill to the south-east, and the Capuchin slope to the south-west.
History
The site’s history is intimately interwoven with that of the city of Sedan. Neighboring the site is the Sedan castle, built by Evrard III de La Marck from 1424, which spurred the city's development into a formidable stronghold, expanding to 35,000 m2 by the 16th century. From 1603 to 1623, Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne fortified the city, constructing hornworks that encircled it, including the Floing hornwork on this site.
In 1639, Frédéric-Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, the last prince of Sedan, brought over Irish Capuchins to convert protestants to Catholicism. This congregation was authorized to build a monastery on the site of the Floing hornwork. In 1642, Abraham Fabert, governor of Sedan, decided to build his tomb in the monastery chapel during his lifetime.
The monks remained until 1791, when they were expelled by revolutionaries. The buildings later served as the Ardennes seminary, and from 1817 to 1944, as a military hospital. The chapel then became a crypt (classified as a Historic Monument on June 25, 1962).
The site was demolished in 1965 to make way for the Ardenne Residence, consisting of five towers and a school. Part of the complex was intended for military personnel stationed in Sedan, designed by architect Jean Rocard.

Map showing the location of the neighborhood
Historical map of the neighborhood

Urban plan of the neighborhood
Orientations
Since 2018, the City of Sedan has been part of the national Action Cœur de Ville program, with Sedan’s convention extended to cover the period 2023 – 2026.
The city has prioritized improving housing quality, particularly by focusing on existing buildings that can be adapted to modern comfort standards. The goal is to eliminate substandard housing in the historic center, while also creating housing to meet specific needs (seniors, furnished rentals for employees, students, young professionals, apprentices, etc.) and very affordable housing. Another objective is to support commercial diversification and combat ground-floor vacancy. The goal is to make Sedan a livable city by enhancing urban functions in the city centre, reducing the space given over to cars, reworking public spaces for pedestrians, and developing accessible paths between neighborhoods.
Enhancing the city’s aesthetics and showcasing its heritage and landscapes is another main goal, strengthening social bonds and fostering residents’ pride in their city. This includes structuring an activity corridor between the Meuse and the Castle, with cultural facilities and riverside activities (concerts, outdoor exhibitions, pop-up cafes) and supporting initiatives to encourage social interaction among residents at ground level.
Progress report
For several years, the city of Sedan has implemented an ambitious policy to redevelop its historic center, classified as a priority urban neighborhood. An Urban Renewal Program was activated first, followed by a Neighborhood Renovation and Improvement Program, which enabled several restructuring operations on housing blocks. These tasks were entrusted to Sem Proteame and Plurial Novilia to create a housing offer to meet the needs and expectations of households. As a result, 12 housing units with 1,083 m2 of living space (studios, 1-bed, 3-bed and 4-bed duplex flats) have been created on Rue de l'Horloge and Rue St. Michel, replacing vacant and degraded buildings.
In parallel, the local authority has renovated the town center squares (Place d'Armes, Place Crussy, Place de la Halle) and the surroundings of the castle to enhance the appeal and quality of life in its historic center. These works were completed in 2024. The castle itself underwent renovation through an innovative approach, utilizing public and private funds, as well as citizen financing. An Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Center was completed in 2019, and a project to create an art and history museum is currently under consideration by Ardenne Métropole.
Commercial revitalization has also been initiated, with the opening of 14 new shops.
Regarding the site of the Ardenne Residence, a demolition permit is currently being processed for 2 of the 5 towers.
The project site
The site covers approximately 5 hectares, bordered to the west by the ramparts, to the north by the Asfeld tamp, to the east by an old moat, and to the south by the Capuchin slope. Due to its elevation and limited access, it is somewhat isolated despite its proximity to the town centre. It is occupied by five towers of social housing, managed by Habitat 08. Positioned on a promontory, it overlooks the town and the Meuse, with extensive green spaces, some populated by large trees.
Initial ideas for programming
Situated at the junction between the town’s upper residential areas, the forest, and the old center, the site has clear potential for new housing. The location offers immediate access to town-centre services and sits along Sedan's ramparts and northeastern hillside, providing breathtaking views. This project must align with efforts to revitalize the old center and adhere to the Local Housing Plan, creating a viable alternative to attract new residents. The land available from the former school is advantageous, as are the largely vacant social housing towers, which may be renovated to exemplary standards.
This endeavor requires addressing access, mobility management, and the development of services to foster an appealing living environment. The site's green spaces allow for the creation of high-quality public spaces.
In essence, the aim is to develop a new neighborhood rooted in ecological and social transition, a pilot eco-neighborhood for the future.
The ambitions of the project
The city aims to enhance its appeal by creating a contemporary, innovative image that dialogues with Sedan's heritage identity and the project site. The work of architect Jean de Mailly, who designed the ‘Peignes’ and Blanpain school along the Meuse, could inspire this project. His work, now listed as Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (notable modern architecture), drew on the forms and materials used in the old center. The project aims for urban transformation, interweaving and redefining spaces with a new urban form integrated into the ‘Promenade des Remparts’.
The goal is to develop a new neighborhood by taking advantage of the site's topography while establishing strong connections with the old center and the Meuse River. This ambitious development project must comply with sustainable development requirements, combining solutions that address ecological transition and integration into the town. Attention to biodiversity development, energy efficiency, and combating soil sealing, must be factored into the development. In this regard, the local authority intends to adopt the Eco-neighborhood approach.
Furthermore, the Town of Sedan and its partners are aware that fostering a sense of ‘living well together’ will be essential for the success of this resilient and inclusive development project.

Entrance into the site via the Capuchin slope

The site, with the towers and the Fabert crypt

The site seen from the northern tip

View of the site from the Palatinate hornwork

View of the site from Place de Turenne
• How can we draw on the heritage of Sedan and its historic center to redesign urban forms and give the future Ardenne Eco-Neighborhood a strong identity? How can elements of history and heritage be integrated into the development project? What local narrative should emerge?
• How can a new housing offer be developed in a balanced approach between new construction and renovation in a low-density area?
• How can the tower on this prominent site be redefined as an asset in the landscape? For what type of programming?
• What strategy for reuse should be implemented in this kind of renovation?
• What services and facilities should be developed in this neighborhood to make it an attractive place to live without compromising the existing offer?